Rice junior Jessica Kuster was named C-USA Preseason Player of the Year, as voted upon by the league's coaches. Kuster averaged a double-double last season, averaging 17.3 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.

The selection is Kuster's second straight appearance on the Preseason All-C-USA Team. Kuster is the first Rice player to be named C-USA Preseason Player of the Year since Lauren Neaves prior to the 2005-06 season.

The Owls were picked to finish fourth in the league by a poll of the league's coaches.

Kuster was a first team All-C-USA selection a year ago as a sophomore, and ranked ninth in the nation and first in Conference USA in rebounding. Kuster was one of only 21 players in the nation to average a double-double in 2011-12. She was named to the All-C-USA Defensive team, leading the squad in blocked shots and ranking second on the team in steals.

She totaled 334 rebounds in the past season, the third-most all-time for a Rice player in a single season, and was named C-USA Player of the Week on Feb. 27.

Kuster and the Owls begin their season November 9, as they host Prairie View A&M at 7 p.m.